What is an Anxiety Disorder?

Someone experiencing panic and anxiety is feeling the effects of the ‘fight or flight’ response. The fight or flight response is our bodies natural response to a perceived danger. When it is activated, hormones are released into the body to enable us to either deal with or escape from the dangerous situation, by either fighting, avoiding or freezing.The effects of the fight or flight response include an increase in our heart rate to pump blood faster to the lungs, muscles and brain. We breath more rapidly to increase our oxygen levels, our muscles tense ready for action and many functions not necessary for fighting or escaping, such as digestion or reproduction, slow or stop.

It is important to realise that what we think about actually activates the fight or flight response. Our mind and body can’t tell the difference between the thoughts about a situation and the situation itself. Therefore by simply thinking, worrying or ‘what if’-ing about something, you are actually activating the fight or flight response in exactly the same way as if you were actually experiencing it in reality.

Many people develop anxiety or a panic disorder following a major life stress or an extended period of stress, or after a traumatic experience. Major life stress can include a death of a loved one, loss of employment, relationship problems, financial problems, abuse, a physical illness, bullying, birth of a child etc.

People regularly look for help from psychotherapists and counsellors for the following anxieties and anxiety related issues: Generalised Anxiety, OCD, Social Anxiety, PTSD / Trauma, Panic Attacks, public speaking anxiety, performance anxiety, blushing, interview anxiety, exam nerves, health anxiety(hypochondria), fear of flying, separation anxiety, wedding speeches, insomnia, driving anxiety etc. When you are ready to make the inner changes you need, simply phone me on 0161 881 4333 or Click here to email to make an appointment now. There are several different anxiety disorders and people may experience symptoms of more than one at the same time.

"There is pleasure in recognising old things from a new perspective."Richard Feynman

Types of Anxiety Disorder

Generalised Anxiety Disorder

Sometimes referred to as chronic worry, it is an extreme and persistent anxiety or worry about past, current or future situations. It can be difficult to find an obvious cause as the sufferer will often feel anxious about many different things in their life. Often the anxiety is triggered by fundamental underlying beliefs that negatively shape the persons viewpoint on life, the world, themselves or other people.

Panic Disorder

Is actually the intense fear of having an anxiety attack, and this concern can be so intense that it causes a panic attack. It is an excellent example of the cyclical nature of many anxieties where the anxiety symptoms end up being the cause of the anxiety. The panic attack can produce incredibly unpleasant physical sensation and thoughts with many people believing that they are having a heart attack and are going to die or are going mad.

Social Anxiety

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

The experience, or witness of, or conflict with, an event or events that included actual or threatened death, or serious injury, or risk of physical injury of self or others. The major feature of PTSD is the reliving of the occasion within dreams, flashbacks or nightmares. Read more about trauma and PTSD here…

Somatoform Disorder

Typically more generally referred to as Health Anxiety or Hypochondria. It is an extreme fear about your health and wellness, and frequently about having an undiagnosed medical concern. Typically accompanied by frequent checking of and worrying about physical bodily sensations, and doubts associated with medical diagnosis and test results, despite assurances from doctors and medical consultants.

Specific Phobias

Are an extreme fear about a particular thing (often animals, heights, flying, blood etc.) The item or situation is prevented or prompts severe anxiety. People with an anxiety disorder can likewise experience a number of various conditions as a result of their disorder.

People with an anxiety disorder may experience a number of different symptoms as a result of their disorder. It is therefore very important for you to discuss your symptoms with your doctor so that a full medical assessment can be made.

When you are ready to make the inner changes you need, simply phone me on 0161 881 4333 or Click here to email to make an appointment now.

Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders

Symptoms of anxiety disorders may include:

Breathing difficulties

Tightening of the throat

Frequent need to urinate

Diarrhoea

Chest pain

Sweating hands

Sleeping difficulties

Headaches

Neck pain

Unexplained rashes

Dissociative symptoms

Depersonalisation

Aching jaw

Muscle Tension

Excessive perspiration

Light-headedness

Extreme exhaustion

Lack of concentration

Feeling detached from body

Nausea and/or vomiting

Digestive problems

Loss of feelings and/or libido

Pounding heart

Trembling

Short term memory loss

Fear of embarrassment

Ice cold feeling

Hot prickly feeling

Tingling feeling

Hyperventilation

Choking sensation

Intense heat

Indigestion

Pins and needles

Fear of losing control

Fear of making a fool of self

Fear of going insane

Fear of having a heart attack

Fear of dying

Churning/burning stomach

Muscle pain

Sensitivity to light/sound

PLEASE NOTE: If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms then discuss them with your doctor first.

When you are committed to making the changes you need, just phone on 0161 881 4333 or Click here to email to make an enquiry or appointment now.

Panic Attacks

A panic attack may be experienced with any of the anxiety disorders and is a sudden rush of intense and uncomfortable physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, nausea, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, inability to concentrate, and confusion. Which is coupled with negative thoughts about the situation (e.g. making a scene, looking foolish, having a heart attack, not being able to breathe etc.).

Symptoms of panic attacks can include palpitations, sweating, trembling or shaking, sensations of shortness of breath or smothering, feeling of choking, chest pain or discomfort, nausea or abdominal distress, dizziness or light-headedness, derealisation or depersonalisation, fear of losing control or going ‘crazy’, fear of dying, paresthesia, and chills or hot flushes.

The Anxiety Disorder Treatment in Manchester

I do not believe in a ‘one size fits all’ approach, as your life experiences and the events that led to your anxiety are unique to you alone. Therefore the treatment available at the Manchester practice is individual to you and your specific requirements. So the exact form of the treatment and number of sessions will vary from person to person. However very specific anxieties can be treated with short-term therapy, so you could be feeling better in as little as 8 to 12 sessions. For more life-long, deep rooted, chronic or complex anxiety, longer term psychotherapy and counselling will usually be a better choice.

Psychotherapy and counselling will require a regular and on-going commitment of your time and energy, with sessions usually taking place on a weekly basis.

The overall aim of this process is to help you to experience a deep permanent change in how you think and feel. So that you naturally no longer feel as anxious. Which then allows you to feel comfortable and at ease, and even enjoy situations which used to cause you anxiety and fear.

During the process we will work together to address whatever issues need to be dealt with to enable you to overcome your anxiety. The treatment process itself is relaxed, sensitive, respectful and non-judgemental.

The approach is integrative, and treatment combines elements of Contemporary Psychotherapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Counselling, CBT, EMDR, Gestalt Therapy, Clinical Hypnotherapy, mindfulness and life coaching which are individually recognised as successful ways of assisting people to change their behaviours and perceptions, and I’m sure you can imagine the amazing benefits of combining these approaches, allowing you to more easily change the thoughts and behaviours you currently have. So you can find yourself changing in beneficial ways.

Examples of just a few of the commonly dealt with issues:

Changing limiting beliefs and building powerful empowering beliefs.

Changing your perceptions of others, and what you think they think of you.

Change what you feel about yourself and your abilities.

Building your self-esteem, self-worth and self confidence.

Disassembling of the negative feedback loops, and self reinforcing and self sustaining aspects of the anxiety disorder.

Emotional state management.

Learning to relax/ground/centre yourself so you can stay more in the moment.

I am a UKCP Registered and Accredited Psychotherapist (UKCP Reg.), a registered member of the BACP (MBACP), an EMDR Therapist, Life Coach, a NLP Master Practitioner, and Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapist. I combine all my skills and experience to produce a treatment that is tailored to meet your personal needs.

Don’t see exactly what you are looking for? Then do please get in touch to discuss your requirements. My in-depth training and years of experience has given me the flexibility and knowledge to help you deal with many psychological issues.

All sessions are carried out in a constructive, relaxed, supportive, non-judgemental and completely confidential environment.

Each session lasts 1 hour, and sessions are usually held weekly.(See the consultation fees page for session prices and discounts.)

When you are committed to making the inner changes you need to control your anxiety, simply phone me on 0161 881 4333 or Click here to email to make an appointment now.

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Consultation Fees

Session fees are paid at the time of booking.You may pay by cash, cheque, Debit Card, credit card or online. Your private medical insurance may fund counselling or psychotherapy sessions for certain acute issues. Please check with your health insurance provider if counselling or psychotherapy are included in your policy.

Booking your anxiety treatment is easy

NOTE: Before booking it is very important that you get your symptoms diagnosed by a medical practitioner or doctor, as many of the symptoms of anxiety may also be symptoms of more serious conditions.

I recommend booking an Initial Consultation/Assessment Session first. This gives us the chance to begin to explore your issues and your requirements further, give you honest answers to any questions you might have, give you a realistic estimate of the number of sessions you may require and begin the process of change.

I practice from a consulting room in my home located in Chorlton in South Manchester, close to junction 7 & 8 of the M60 and the end of the M56.

When you are committed to making the inner changes you need, simply phone me on 0161 881 4333 or Click here to email to make an appointment now.

Corporate Work

My services can also be combined and tailored to your group or corporate needs, and range from EAP (Employee Assistance Programme – one to one therapy, counselling or coaching sessions) through to bespoke group training, workshops, and outdoor activities and retreats.